Acadia National Park - Pets

With some restrictions, you may bring your pet with you to Acadia National Park.

At all times, pets must be restrained on a leash no longer than six feet in length. Leashes protect dogs from becoming lost and from other hazards, such as porcupines and sick, injured, or rabid animals. Leashes also help protect park resources, including wildlife and vegetation.

Pets should not be left unattended. Summer sunshine poses a threat to pets left in vehicles. On a bright, sunny day, even in temperatures as low as 60° F, temperatures inside a vehicle can reach dangerous levels. On an 85-degree day, the temperature inside a car—even with the windows cracked—can reach over 100 degrees within 10 minutes.

Pet owners are responsible for removing pet waste from campgrounds, picnic areas, parking lots, roads, and other developed areas. In campgrounds, wastes must be removed from all areas within in 200 feet of established campsites, and in Blackwoods and Seawall Campgrounds, all areas within the campground loops.

Where you CAN go with your pet:

There are 100 miles of hiking trails and 45 miles of carriage roads in the park where pets are permitted. Blackwoods and Seawall Campgrounds permit pets. On Isle au Haut, pets are permitted for day hiking only.

Because most lakes in the park are public water supplies, pets (and people) may not swim in them. The two swimming beaches (Sand Beach and Echo Lake) are also off-limits to pets from May 15 to October 15. Public Buildings Ranger-Led Programs Wild Gardens of Acadia at Sieur de Monts Some park trails are very steep and require the use of iron rungs and ladders. Pets are prohibited on the following trails: Precipice Beehive Ladder Trail to Dorr Mountain Beech Cliffs Trail Perpendicular Trail (Mansell Mountain) Jordan Cliffs Trail between Penobscot East Trail and the carriage road Duck Harbor Campground on Isle au Haut

Service animals are an exception to these rules and may accompany their owner to all park locations.